Stating that smoke from wildland fires in the region may cause potential health concerns, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a new warning that air quality is approaching unhealthy levels.

Smoke concentrations in Bend and Deschutes County reached the moderate level, just outside the “good” category, on the Oregon DEQ’s Wildfire Air Quality Rating Scale (WAQR).DEQ remindsarea residents -- especially those individuals who may be sensitive to smoke -- that there are precautions they can take to mitigate breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke. Additionally, there are helpful web-related tools available that may help individuals determine when to take protective measures.

Smoke is made up of tiny particles (particulate matter) that can be harmful to breathe, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma and other lung or heart conditions. This particulate matter also reduces visibility, causing the haze that has been noticeable in the area. Symptoms that people may experience from smoke include varying degrees of repeated coughing, shortness of breath, scratchy throat, wheezing, irritated eyes, sinus complications, chest tightness, heart palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue or lightheadedness.

According to the WAQR, designed to measure real-time impacts from forest fire smoke plumes, particulate levels in Bend and Deschutes County at 8 a.m.on August 15 were in the moderate category. Particle pollution is often highest during the coldest times of the day, typically in the evening and early morning.

“When wildfire smoke gets to these levels, children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions should take measures to limit their outdoor activities,” said DEQ Air Quality Manager, Linda Hayes-Gorman.

Wildfire smoke plumes are unpredictable, and conditions can improve or worsen rapidly depending on the location. Area residents can take the following precautions to improve breathing conditions or other symptoms when problematic smoke conditions are likely: